jeffnall

2009-07-23T12:06:00.005-04:00

The People of Honduras Rise-up

Against U.S. Trained General’s Coup

Corporate and public (NPR) media distort the facts

We stand before history once more and we will be judged not by our thoughts, but by our actions.

President Obama’s insists that the United States does not support the coup against Honduras’ democratically elected president. Yet Democracy Now reports that lobbyists with close ties to the Clinton family are not representing the coup leadership in an effort to gain Washington approval for the military regime: “US Lobbyists with Clinton Ties Hired to Defend Honduran Coup Regime”). And recent reports indicate that the U.S. continues to educate Honduran soldiers (“U.S. continues to train Honduran soldiers”).

Meanwhile, the mainstream media including NPR continue distort the facts by repeating that the ouster was motivated by president Zelaya’s power grab. The facts flat-out contradict this assertion. Journalist Benjamin Dangl writes:

As one media analyst pointed out, while many major news outlets in the US, including the Miami Herald, Wall St. Journal and Washington Post, said an impetus for the coup was specifically Zelaya’s plans for a vote to allow him to extend his term in office, the actual ballot question was to be: "Do you agree that, during the general elections of November 2009 there should be a fourth ballot to decide whether to hold a Constituent National Assembly that will approve a new political constitution? (“Showdown in Honduras: The Rise and Uncertain Future of the Coup”)

While the tainted Iranian election made headlines throughout the mainstream news, the gun-barrel deposing of Honduras’s elected president continues to receive little to no attention. And when a media outlet does pay attention, they some how fail to seriously consider or give voice to the popular struggle taking place by the Honduran people against the coup. The death of one protestor during Iranian protests made headlines for days. But the death of two people in Honduras is ignored (with the exception of independent media outlets such as Democracy Now: “Honduran Coup Regime Blocks Ousted President Zelaya’s Return; Troops Open Fire on Supporters at Airport, Killing Two”).

Perhaps Hondurans are being punished for their lack of prowess in twittering; or perhaps a Honduran military dictatorship is more profitable for U.S. interests than democracy and reformers such as Zelaya.

U.S. industry including apparel companies have been angered by the ousted president Zelaya’s success at increasing minimum wage. Nikolas Kozloff reports that Chiquita banana “was very unhappy about President Zelaya’s minimum wage decrees, because they said that this would cut into their profits and make it more expensive for them to export bananas and pineapple” (http://www.democracynow.org/2009/7/21/from_arbenz_to_zelaya_chiquita_in).

Americans have a responsibility to what’s happening in Honduras because our military trained the general who led the coup against the Honduran president. In an interview with Democracy Now, Father Roy Bourgeois explained the connection between the U.S. run military school formerly known as the School of the Americans, now WHINSEC.:

This school is well known in Latin America as a school of coups, a school of dictators, a school of torture....The two main players in this coup in Honduras that ousted President Zelaya are two generals, well-known graduates of the school: General Romero Vasquez, who’s the commander-in-chief, the head of the military, not only a graduate, a two-time graduate; and, of course, also General Luis Suazo, a graduate of the school in 1996, who’s the head of the air force (“Generals Who Led Honduras Military Coup Trained at the School of the Americas”).

School of the American’s Watch is specifically calling on the Obama administration to do the following:

* Insist upon the immediate and unconditional return of President Zelaya
* Recall the U.S. ambassador and embassy staff
* Withdraw U.S. troops from Palmerola
* Expel Honduran troops from SOA/WHINSEC

(“Honduras Emergency Response Delegation Report”)

After taking notice, Americans need to take action in solidarity with the Honduran people. If there is one thing U.S. citizens can do to lift the bloody shroud of brutal U.S. militarism from the world, it’s to speak out and decry our government’s training of murderers and destroyers of other people’s democracy.

To this end SOA Watch South Florida, Miami for Peace, and CODEPINK: Miami have initiated a solidarity march in support of the Honduran people’s resistance to the coup. The protest will take place Saturday, July 25 in Miami. Participants will meet at the corner of NW 87th Ave and 36th Street and then march to Southern Command. Southern Command is responsible for commanding U.S. military forces in Honduras and throughout Latin America.

For more information Call Ray Del Papa 754-423-0051 or Linda 305-801-0245.

2009-07-15T23:48:00.004-04:00

Activism A.B.
Resurrecting Activist Passions after Bush

WEST PALM BEACH – Activist and author Jeff Nall has kicked off a talk series titled “Activism A.B: Resurrecting Activist Passions After Bush.”

Nall will discuss the necessity for citizens to be persistently and fearlessly engaged in the peace and justice struggle despite the change in leadership in Washington and the sometimes dismal prospects for peace. He will discuss recent national and statewide protests, and the so-called “Obama” affect.

Nall will take his call for action throughout the state of Florida including the cities of Lakeland, Gainesville, and Jacksonville.

Specifically, Nall will urge citizens to get involved in their local peace/anti-war groups and to take part in a number of upcoming statewide peace actions. Among them is a protest at the U.S. Southern Command in Miami on July 25th where activists will urge the U.S. military to withdraw its armed forces from Honduras in light of the illegal coup against the president there. Nall will also solicit participation and volunteers for a forthcoming statewide demonstration to be held in Orlando in October.

Nall’s latest work is titled “Florida Activist Little Black Book.” The booklet features two of the author’s most important essays, photos from peace protests, and the most comprehensive, up-to-date directory of Florida peace and justice activist organizations.

The following is a list of currently scheduled speaking events. Additional events will be added throughout the year. Note that specific event details vary. Check event summary at www.Eventful.com/JeffNall for additional info:

Click here for schedule http://humanistsforpeace.com/ or www.JeffNall.com

July 19, 2009 - Lakeland, FL

July 26, 2009 - Gainesville, FL

August 2, 2009 - Bradenton, FL

August 9, 2009 - Dunnellon, FL

August 16, 2009 - Satsuma, FL‎

August 30, 2009 - Jacksonville, FL

September 20, 2009 - Cocoa, FL

October 18, 2009 - Rockledge, FL

2009-06-23T02:38:00.006-04:00

June 21

Getting Lost...and Finding Friends in Tarpon Springs

On Sunday, June 21 I kicked off my summer speaking tour at the (Historic) Unitarian Universalist Church of Tarpon Springs (www.uutarpon.org). But that was after I spent three hours making great time driving from Melbourne (where I stayed the night with family) only to be upended by the ever elusive “Center” street. In the process I was, however, able to find an open office supply store to do some last minute printing. (Can you believe the nerve of office stores NOT to be open by 9am?!) Well I ended up finding the place – the oldest UU church in the state! – just before the service was set to begin.

Inside I finally got to meet Daniel Callaghan, the man I had spent a ton of time emailing back and forth. Dan honored me with an amazing intro, reflecting on our incredible Florida March to Stop War on Iran in August 2008. Dan and his wife Anni participated in the protest along with area members of the Florida Peace Action Network like Bettejo, who was also at the service.

Before I spoke Dan read the words of Col. Ann Wright. And Quimby Heotzler got the place jumping with outstanding jazz. Then I did my thing.I discussed “Humanism and the Peace Revolution.” I’m particularly concerned that too many in the “freethought” movement have become narrowly focused on church-state separation and science that they ignore bringing an end to U.S. militarism.

I discussed the often forgotten Enlightenment philosopher, Condorcet. (Who first publicly called for women’s enfranchisement – before Mary Wollstonecraft—had an amazing, egalitarian marriage with partner, Sophie, and tried his best to write democracy, social safety nets, and other good stuff into the French constitution....before he was killed via the Reign of Terror.) Bottom line, Condorcet envisioned a world in which we would look back at war as a “freakish atrocity.” It’s a vision we have to keep alive.

I delved into the latest developments in our nation’s moral shame: American-made torture (including rape), killing civilians in Afghanistan (http://rethinkafghanistan.com), recent details of U.S. military expenditures (7 times that of China, the second top spender), and the Democrats passage of the war supplemental bill. Holding my amazing and joy-filled 7 month old daughter is a poignant reminder of how my own government is depriving so many others of simple joys....like watching their children play and grow.

During the talk/sermon I got a little emotional, a little fiery, a little preacher like. When it was over I wasn’t sure if I had outraged folks or overwhelmed them. I sometimes get accused of preaching to the choir. But I’ve made it my mission, during this series of summer talks, to challenge progressives to confront American imperialism; to ask the question: is it any less horrific to kill innocent people under an Obama administration than it was during Bush’s reign? The uncomfortable, painfully obvious answer of “no” reminds us all that we have a lot of work to do over the next four years.

When we were finished I was met with a great deal of support. The general response was that I offered a much needed jolt to those who have been intoxicated by a change at the governmental helm. Best of all, I had a series of wonderful conversations. One woman – a lifelong socialist she said – told me of how she was directly involved in the process of desegregating Orlando schools. Amazing people we follow....... And I also spoke to west-coast Florida activist extraordinaire(s) Melissa, Jeanie, and Bettejo. We talked about strategy and organizing future marches. Now that’s time well spent.

2009-04-02T23:55:00.000-04:00

3/28/09 Florida March for Peace

Photos by Kelly Quinn

2009-04-02T23:29:00.004-04:00

March on the Pentagon, 3/21/09,

First National Anti-War March During the Obama Administration

Militarism Under Obama: A New Phase of the Anti-war Movement
Toward Freedom, April 2, 2009
Photo gallery

2009-03-31T22:54:00.003-04:00

Coverage, Photos, and Summary of Florida March for Peace

The Florida March for Peace resulted in not only bringing more than a hundred people together and spreading our anti-war message with tens of thousands of people via the media, but peace/anti-war organizers from around the state came together to form the Florida Peace Congress (FPC). As part of its first decision as a body, the FPC's more than two dozen attendees unanimously endorsed the upcoming Miami May Day protest. More details on this event will follow next month. the FPC's aim will be to mobilize peace/anti-war groups to support the May 1st event. There we will also hold our second FPC meeting.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this a successful event. 2009 is stacking up to be a definitive year for peace. And the march goes on...

PS. Check out Mark Weaver’s show this Saturday, 9am – 11am, to hear a discussion of the 3/28/09 march. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fpc http://markweavershow.blogspot.com/

Here’s the wonderful story featured in Florida Today the day after the march: “Marchers seek to focus on home, Peace rally demands an end to war, more money for domestic issues” & Photo gallery
A ton of photos from Progressive Democrats of Indian River
Photos from St. Augustine for Peace & Justice

Review of Florida March for Peace By Jim Sanders, Member, Broward AntiWar Coalition
Monday, Mar 30, 2009

On Saturday, March 28th, 120 to 150 activists from across the state marched through downtown Melbourne against US wars and interventions. These include the occupation in Iraq, the escalation in Afghanistan, attacks against Pakistan, our support of Israel’s aggressions against the people of Palestine, and others. A rally was held at the end point at Melbourne City Hall.

A diverse collection of speakers and performers from across the state addressed the crowd. Food Not Bombs did what they do best and shared food with anybody who was hungry. Raging Grannies sang songs against profiteering and the ludicrous escalation planned in Afghanistan. A radical minister spoke of the need for revolution. A couple of long-time activist spoke of the need to support freeing the Cuban 5. A speaker from the Miami Mayday Alliance called on the crowd to join the upcoming May 1st action in Miami.The rally was organized by the Brevard County based Patriots for Peace. Broward AntiWar endorsed this action along with 66 other groups from across the state.

After the march and rally, a group of about 30 to 40 of us gathered on the balcony of a local bar to form the Florida Peace Congress. We hope that in forming this organization we can offer better communication and support for peace and social justice events throughout the state. The first act of the new group was to endorse the Mayday event in Miami.

It was a great day for the peace and justice communities in Florida. Not only did we boisterously and enthusiastically march and rally against wars and injustice, we laid the groundwork for uniting for greater work in the future.

"Organizers insist war isn't the way," Florida Today (3-27-09)
"March for Peace in Melbourne March 28," Hometown News (3-27-09)
“Peace--Following in a Humanist Tradition” Humanist Network News (March 18, 2009)
“Gainesville's Veterans for Peace will participate in march” Independent Alligator (March 17, 2009)
March for peace set for March 28 Osceola-News Gazette (March 21, 2009)
Florida March for PEACE St.Augustine Florida News (March 25, 2009)
Florida Mass March for Peace in Melbourne Miami Independent Media Center
Happy Town, Orlando Weekly (March 19, 2009)

2009-03-24T23:42:00.002-04:00

The March is Coming...The March is Coming

This march will be big.

Just 14 hours after sending it out, our mass email about the march has been opened more than a thousand times. Bill and I have both been fielding phone calls about the march. And I've gotten a handful of emails from new people asking for details about the march.

We're still making a hell of a media splash.

Today I heard from Florida Today, the main daily paper in Brevard county. A nice guy with the paper interviewed me about the march and said a preview of the event would likely run in Wednesday or Thursday's paper. The Hometown News will run a story (hopefully) on Thursday.
Endorsements continue to roll in.

In just the last few days we received endorsements from the Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition, Pax Christi Palm Beach, and the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq. I think it's great that we're having various Christian activist groups get involved. It's important that religious, secular, and spiritual progressives realize that we have more in common than we often realize.

Speakers schedule about to be finalized.

Tonight's the night! While I stayed up till 4am! finishing the mass email we sent out today, tonight I'll be finalizing the speakers' schedule.

Stay tuned!

PS: Here are some materials you might want to print and bring to the march.

Amazing Palestinian-Israel Posters!

Join students and activists across the world who have already downloaded and printed these posters on their own printers, or at local copy centers. We've seen them blown up to 5 feet square, on protest signs and as stickers, and in store and cafe windows. One person even dressed as Middle East Peace at a Purim festival, wearing one image on each side!

8.5x11 - Israel: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=eniuJUYz27ELzNGcoQ4Yq%2Bd8As7KKqP5
8.5x11 – Palestine: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=TJ2SAdzTGzDBDsU10pjXeOd8As7KKqP5
11x17 - Both images, side by side: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=5ZXThTz7AOVpOZI71LofM%2Bd8As7KKqP5
Obama promises petition: http://s3.amazonaws.com/codepink4peace.org/downloads/Obama_Promises_Signup_Sheet.pdf
Obama promises facts: http://s3.amazonaws.com/codepink4peace.org/downloads/Obama_Promises_Flyer_M19.pdf
CodePink Chants: http://s3.amazonaws.com/codepink4peace.org/downloads/CODEPINK_Song_And_Chant_Sheet.pdf
CodePink Song sheet: http://s3.amazonaws.com/codepink4peace.org/downloads/CODEPINK_2009_Songsheet.pdf
Torture flyer http://pdamerica.org/misc/account-03-18-09.pdf

2009-02-19T01:24:00.002-05:00

Setting the Record Straight on

Hugo Chavez & Venezuela

Many in the mainstream media bemoan Hugo Chavez’s successful referendum ending term-limits as an assault on democracy. Chavez, according to this view, is a dictator who has succeeded at nothing more than the destruction of his nation. A basic recollection of U.S. history and a look at the economic facts make the absurdity of this position all to clear.

In terms of the outrage over ending term limits one has to wonder if the mainstream media is equally outraged at the near lack of term limits in Congress. More specific to the presidency one must wonder how the mainstream media spent Presidents’ Day. After all, if we applied their condemnation of Chavez to U.S. history it seems we might today refer to FDR as our own dictator since he served, during a time of critical transition not unlike Chavez in Venezuela, from 1933 to 1945. In fact, had FDR not died at the start of his fourth term in office he would have served a total of 16 years in office.

Ironically, while the New York Times today leads the charge against Chavez’s “so-called” power grab, which of course is democratically endorsed by the Venezuelan people, this same newspaper of record declared at the time of FDR’s death: "Men will thank God on their knees a hundred years from now that Franklin D. Roosevelt was in the White House.”
Meanwhile, Florida Congressman Connie Mack has unleashed an all out assault on Chavez declaring that he is leading Venezuela to a “communist abyss.” Mack when on to say that Chavez’s 10 years in power has lead to “Higher poverty, more crime, rampant inflation" and more. New York Times says about the same. The facts, however, flatly contradict these depictions.
Despite dire predictions about its economic future with a socialist at the helm, a 2007-2008 report shows that Venezuela’s economy has significantly improved under Chavez’s presidency. The Center for Economic and Policy Research’s report contradicts popular dogma that Venezuela is headed from “oil boom” to “oil bust.” [Report here] Since the nation became political stable in 2003, the “economy has had continuous rapid growth….” Leaning on the nationalizing of the country’s oil, Venezuela’s revenue has increased even faster than spending between 1998 and 2006. Moreover, while most point to the pitfalls of the government’s over reliance on its oil industry, the report shows that the government has drawn up its budget with conservative estimates for oil prices, planning on 29-dollars a barrel when the average was 60.20 dollars. The nation also has enough money in official international reserves to be debt free.

Chavez has used this growth to invest in infrastructure, increasing the number of primary care physicians from 1,628 for 23.4 million people, in 1998, to 19,571 for 27 million people today. Subsidized food is also available at nearly 16,000 stores across the country, offering customers an “average savings of 27-percent to 39-percent compared to market prices in 2005 and 2006, respectively.”[1] In all, the central government’s social spending has gone up from 8.2-percent of GPD (1998) to 13.6-percent (2006). Most impressively, the Center for Economic and Policy Research reports that the government has slashed the nation’s poverty rate from 55.1-percent in 2003 to 30.4-percent at the end of 2006. While inflation of Venezuela’s currency is a problem, it has become less so during the Chavez years, dropping significantly from 36-percent (1998) and 100-percent (1996) before Chavez, to 19.4 today.

Chavez has accomplished all of this by refusing the flat-world, free market fundamentalist program. He has ushered in laws which insist all private banks dedicate a fifth “of their lending portfolio to ‘micro-loans’ for small businesses and small-plot farmers.” He’s also taken foreign national corporations head-on, kicking oil companies like Shell out of Venezuela, and signing contracts with state oil companies of Brazil, China, and India. If globalizers such as the IMF truly wished to see indigent peoples rise to a basic level of health and subsistence they would not so fiercely attack Chavez, whom the The Wall Street Journal described “a tropical version of the International Monetary Fund, offering cut-rate oil-supply deals and buying hundreds of millions of dollars of bonds from financially distressed countries such as Argentina and Ecuador.” Yet the reflexive denunciation of Chavez, the spastic and unreasoned clumping of Chavez with dictators and authoritarians is a flagrant indication that the true interests of the elite in the United States, in the government and in the world of business, base their denunciations, first and foremost, on whether or not a leader is good for their own business interests or not. The reason globalization establishment can not condone what Chavez is doing is because he is cutting off the flow of capital from Venezuela to the United States, reducing U.S. investors profits.

In short, progressives must stand with the people of Venezuela and demand that American politicians and assorted folks in the elite get their hands off of Venezuela’s democracy. In case you haven’t seen it already check out The Revolution Will Not be Televised (5th video down) and learn about how the U.S. government, funded by our tax dollars, attempted to overthrow Chavez despite the will of his people. For a fact sheet on the recent referendum go here. Finally, call your congressperson and tell them not to support Connie Mack’s H. Res. 161. You can find your representative's phone number here. More info at http://www.veninfo.org/

2009-01-27T22:22:00.001-05:00

Killing Civilians after Bush
Is it Any Less Ethical Under an Obama Administration?

MLK said that you can murder a murderer, but you can't murder murder.

On January 25, 2009 the Associated Press ran a story titled "Afghan president: US forces killed 16 civilians."

According to President Hamid Karzai, a U.S. military operation on Saturday, January 24, killed 16 Afghan civilians. Hundreds of villagers rallied against our military and its destruction of innocent human life. Karzai said that 2 women and 3 children were among those killed by the U.S. military strike.

The AP quotes Karzai is repeating a statement which has become almost absurdly clear, yet ubiquitously ignored: "Karzai said the killing of innocent Afghans during U.S. military operations 'is strengthening the terrorists.'"

In the piece we discover that U.S. politicians and a top NATO official are angry with Karzai and the slow progress taking place in Afghanistan. We even learn that the Obama administration must contemplate whether or not to support Karzai's reelection. Yet there is no acknowledgment that the U.S. 's killing of innocent civilians itself is a likely contributor to the lack of progress in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, President Obama continues to support military strikes like the one which took 16 innocent lives including 2 women and 3 children.Who can blame those who are angrily denouncing our military and demanding an end to overnight raids which take innocent life? What does the U.S. military have to say? "We are sorry for this incident and after this we are going to coordinate our operations with Afghan forces."

One must ask why U.S. and NATO forces had continuously ignored Karzai's calls to end air strikes in civilian areas? But now we are to believe, after the killing of hundreds that U.S. forces will work coordinate with Afghan forces. That's nice. Meanwhile many innocent lives have been destroyed; human beings have been robbed of life.

The real problem, however, is that those who lead our nation are operating under a failed strategy which believes we can end war with war, terrorism with terrorism, murder with murder.

Until our elected representatives, including President Obama, realize that one can't create a peaceful and just world via military operations that take the lives of innocent mothers, fathers, and children, violence and terrorism will continue. We need a Department of Peace, not specialists in execution and predator drones.

2009-01-11T00:36:00.002-05:00

"Peace, Propaganda, and the Promised Land"

2009-01-04T00:47:00.004-05:00

Stop The Killing of Innocents in Gaza

Take Action: Call, Email, Protest, Donate

Mass March in Washington & Orlando, January 10th

At this time more than 900 Palestinians have been killed, and many thousands have been injured.
Do something. Whatever you do, don’t be silent.

EMAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF YOUR LOCAL PAPER
Jon Stewart criticizes Israel's attack on Gaza - thank him and/or watch the clip here
Read
Kucinich's Resolution calling for a cease-fire
Donate to CARE's Humanitarian Aid fund for the People of Gaza
Gaza Appeal- "Stop the massacre in Gaza!" (International Action Center)
Stop Palestinian massacres (Progressive Secretary)
GAZA EMERGENCY: Stop the Killing NOW! (Code Pink)
Urge Secretary Rice to help end the civilian bloodshed! (Amnesty International)
"Ceasefire Now!" petition (J-Street)
We need a ceasefire now in Gaza. (Credo)
Open Letter to President-Elect Obama: We Need a Change in Israel/Palestine Policy
End the Starvation and Siege of Gaza
Jewish Voice for Peace: Call your Congressperson today--Click here for the number--and tell him/her:
1. The U.S. should support an immediate ceasefire. 2. The U.S. should support an immediate end to the blockade on Gaza. 3. Tell your Congressperson: Gazans have been under siege by Israel for two years, and under occupation for 40. Israel's military might won't solve this conflict. It won't bring security or quiet to the many Israeli communities that have lived under threat of rocket fire for several years. It won't make Palestinians more "moderate." What is needed now is an immediate ceasefire to stop the bloodshed, followed by negotiations for a longer term resolution. 4. And call the Obama-Biden transition office with the same message. Their number is 1-202-540-3000; press 2 to reach a person.
Related: FREE THE SHMINISTIM – ISRAEL'S YOUNG CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS. The Shministim are Israeli high school students who have been imprisoned for refusing to serve in an army that occupies the Palestinian Territories. December 18 marks the launch date of a global campaign to release them from jail.

2008-12-25T22:16:00.000-05:00

Call to Action!

Tell Obama to End U.S. Militarism

President-elect Barack Obama’s election has proven that Americans do indeed thirst for democracy. His campaign for hope and change ignited a fire of participatory fervor among a once despondent electorate, proving the power of an actively engaged citizenry. Much of Obama’s success was a direct result of the anti-war movement’s long-fought battle opposing the criminal and unethical Bush administration and its laundry list of dirty deeds. The work of those opposing U.S. militarism, however, is far from over. Indeed, it has just begun. Dick Cheney’s December interview on ABC News’s Good Morning America Dick Cheney proved as much. In the interview Cheney offered an unequivocal endorsement of Obama's national security selections: "I must say, I think it's a pretty good team." Many in the peace movement are frustrated with Obama’s failure to appoint a single anti-war voice or even someone who might offer hope of ending U.S. militarism. Of additional concern is Obama’s continued assertion that the U.S. reserves the privilege to unilaterally attack within the borders of other nations without regard for international law; and his stated intention to perpetuate the war in Afghanistan. Both of these stances have been, under the Bush administration, responsible for unforgivable carnage.

According to Reuters, “U.S. forces have carried out nearly 30 air strikes in Pakistan this year” killing more than 220 people. Among the dead have been nearly a dozen innocent Pakistani soldiers and many civilians. In July, U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan killed 47 civilians attending a wedding, including the bride. In August, U.S. led strikes in Afghanistan killed 90 civilians including 60 children. In November, a U.S. airstrike killed another 40 civilians and wounded 28 others who were attending a wedding party. Similar strikes killed 6 Afghanistan policemen in December.

It is not enough to drawdown U.S. forces in Iraq. Those of us committed to peace and justice must demand a withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan, an end to U.S. subversion of democracy around the world including Latin America, and a renunciation of the militaristic hubris which presumes the right to fire missiles where ever and whenever we please. To that end, please sign on to the letter below, which was composed by Voters for Peace and subsequently signed on to by a number of peace movement leaders including myself.
The deadline to sign the letter is Friday, January 16, so that it can be delivered to Obama before/by his inauguration.

Letter to Barack Obama

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1312/t/4175/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1782

2008-10-02T02:19:00.004-04:00

Stop House of Representatives from
Passing Billionaire Bailout
Compiled Email & Phone Resources Below

Despite the demands of the mainstream political establishment, including the Presidential candidates, mainstream media, and even economists like Paul Krugman congress rejected the proposed bailout. The reason why should give us all a sign of relief that, contrary to popular belief, Democracy is Not Dead!

Listening to NPR you’d think the bill failed because the people are baffled; MSNBC would have us belief it failed because Party Leaders failed to coerce members to support the bill (email these outlets below). The truth, however, is that We the People retain the Power, when we use it; and We the People expressed our outrage in mass. We protested; emailed; called; wrote letters.

Moreover, the progressive/populous activist community revolted against conventional party politics and facilitated the people’s declaration of war on a bailout that would abandon the sick, homeless, jobless, healthcare-less, and those on the verge of foreclosure.

As frightening as this is for those of us who struggle just to stay afloat, who do indeed rely on credit cards to pay our bills, buy food and gas, we must remain vigilantly opposed to any bailout which fails to address the basic needs of the people.

Last night Sen. Bill Nelson voted No on bailout, but the bill passed anyway. Today and tomorrow we must all make a concerted effort to Stop House Democrats from passing this terrible bill. Now is the time to fight for a world which despises economic crimes and ware crimes alike. Our United States of America will not tolerate 1% of the population possessing 90% of the wealth as it currently does.

TAKE ACTION TO STOP

THE BILLIONAIRE BAIL-OUT

Sign Petitions Against Corporate Bailout

v    Progressive Secretary Letter to Congress

v    Video & Email Action: NextNewDeal.com

v    Tell Your Rep., “Reject BS Bailout”

v    We want a FAIR DEAL, not a Wall St. bailout!

v    Let Jobs with Justice Fax Your Demand to Reject the Bailout

v    No Billionaire Bailout!

v    No Bailout! A New Deal for Main Street and Reform for Wall Street!

Call Florida Democratic Representatives

v Alcee Hastings, District 23 (202) 225-131

v Robert Wexler, District 19 (202) 225-3001

v Debbie Wasserman Schultz, District 20 202-225-7931

v Corrine Brown, District 3 (202) 225-0123

v Kendrick Meek, District 17 954-450-6767

v Ron Klein, District 22 (202) 225.3026

v F. Allen Boyd, Jr., District 2 (202) 225-5235

v Tim Mahoney, District 16 (202) 225-5792

Tell NPR To Air Alternative Views of the Bailout

http://www.npr.org/contact/

As a daily listener of “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered” I must express my outrage at your coverage of the Bailout bill. In each and every story I have heard over the last few days you have described opposition to the bill as being motivated by ignorance about the bailout’s importance.

The opposite is true. Informed citizens like me are opposed to this bill precisely because we are informed. The trouble is that we are informed by Nobel Prize winning economists like Joseph Stiglitz, whose views you have completely marginalized. (“A Better Bailout,” by Joseph E. Stiglitz (Sept 26).

According to Stiglitz, the bailout addresses only one of four key problems of our financial system. In fact, Stiglitz fears that implementing the wrong bill will have horrible affects on our economic health. The right bailout, he writes, must address the true underlying causes of the current crisis: “the spirit of excessive deregulation that the Bush Administration so promoted.”

Finally, Stiglitz’s concerns are echoed by the more than 200 economists who recently issued a letter urging “Congress not to rush, to hold appropriate hearings, and to carefully consider the right course of action, and to wisely determine the future of the financial industry and the U.S. economy for years to come.”

Specifically these respected economists fear the plans fairness, ambiguity, and long-term effectiveness.

Sincerely,

[your name]

2008-09-25T10:50:00.000-04:00

The Lessons We Can Learn from Freemarket Idealists
by Jeff Nall

In my book Perpetual Revolt I start off with an essay that beckons people to realize that we are only assured of constant change in our struggle for peace and justice; that there are no permanent victories and there are no permanent defeats. While some may find this idea frustrating, I find it hopeful, particularly at this time. History, with its radical shifts, can sometimes be a source for such hope. Those of us seeking to fundamentally alter the prevailing unfettered capitalist system may think the task is impossible. Interestingly, the granddaddies of freemarket fundamentalism had the same fear.

Frustrated for having his freemarket fundamentalist ideas laughed out of the room when Keynesian economics ruled the day, Frederick Hayek, mentor to Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Regan, proposed a radical new kind of liberalism which sought to duplicate the success of radical socialists. In order to prevent the move toward socialism, Hayek called on his brethren to enact “a new liberal program which appeals to the imagination. We must make the building of a free society once more an intellectual adventure, a deed of courage. What we lack is a liberal Utopia, a program which seems neither a mere defense of things as they are nor a diluted kind of socialism, but a truly liberal radicalism which does not spare the susceptibilities of the mighty (including the trade unions), which is not too severely practical, and which does not confine itself to what appears today as politically possible.”

Hayek went on to write that this radical liberalism requires “intellectual leaders who are willing to work for an ideal, however small may be the prospects of its early realization. They must be men who are willing to stick to principles and to fight for their full realization, however remote. The practical compromises they must leave to the politicians. Free trade and freedom of opportunity are ideals which still may arouse the imaginations of large numbers, but a mere "reasonable freedom of trade" or a mere "relaxation of controls" is neither intellectually respectable nor likely to inspire any enthusiasm.” Hayek was calling for perpetual revolt against the prevailing order; he was calling on people to look beyond immediate victory.

Hayek’s belief in the possibility of implementing a new economic system may have been inspired by the foretelling words of his intellectual master, Ludwig Von Mises – a guy who opposed the New Deal! Toward the end of Mises’ book, The Anti-Capitalist Mentality, he writes about the endlessness of change:

In the universe there is never and nowhere stability and immobility. Change and transformation are essential features of life. Each state of affairs is transient; each age is an age of transition. In human life there is never calm and repose. Life is a process, not perseverance in a status quo. Yet the human mind has always been deluded by the image of an unchangeable existence. The avowed aim of all utopian movements is to put an end to history and to establish a final and permanent calm.

Mises was dead right. Nothing is forever; history does not end; and, as Zamyatin wrote, “There is no final revolution; no final number.”

Ironically, today it’s the freemarket fundamentalist who speaks of his system as the utopia of economics. The pendulum has swung and now it is unfettered capitalism that is receiving many of the same criticisms previously employed by capitalists. Indeed, freemarket fundamentalists are the ones declaring that history is over and that neoliberal globalism is something with which we have nothing to do but accept.

It’s time that those of us on the left heed Hayek’s advice. It’s time that we leave our tepid “liberalism” for a radical, MLK-styled socialism, an ideal which strives to create a society which feeds, clothes, educates, and houses its people. King had it right when he wrote: “Communism forgets that life is individual. Capitalism forgets that life is social. The kingdom of brotherhood is found neither in the thesis of Communism nor the antithesis of Capitalism but in a higher synthesis. It's found in a higher synthesis that can combine the truths of both.”

And it’s not like we don’t have a good crowd to join. Albert Einstein, George Orwell, Upton Sinclair, Helen Keller, and King were all socialists. The days of arguing that we are atomistic entities disconnected from the lives of everyone around us are over. There’s no denying the reality of our existence being firmly rooted in a community of people we live amongst. We may be individuals, but our individuality is firmly rooted in the context of our society. And so we demand something more than pure capitalism; something that acknowledges the reality of competition but also something that disavows the atomistic view of human beings and acknowledges that we are social creatures. Something that acknowledges that the only reason we theoretically signed on to the social contract is so that we would enjoy greater freedom and prosperity.

As Adam Smith wrote in the Wealth of Nations: “…what improves the circumstances of the greater part can never be regarded as an inconveniency to the whole. No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable. It is but equity, besides, that they who feed, clothe and lodge the whole body of the people, should have such a share of the produce of their own labor as to be themselves tolerably well fed, clothed and lodged.”

No more polite requests from the grandfatherly political elite. We should not be humbly asking for an end to war and poverty, we should be demanding it!

TAKE ACTION TO STOP

THE BUSH BAIL-OUT

Attend a Protest

Sign Petitions Against Corporate Bailout

v    Demand that the Bailout Legislation Be Rejected

v    No blank check for Wall Street.

                No Wall Street Bail-Out! Pass an Economic Recovery Plan Instead!

Senator Mel Martinez - 202-224-3041

Senator Bill Nelson - 202-224-5274

Get Talking Points & Report your calls here:

        United for Peace and Justice

v    TrueMajority.org

v    Democrats.com

v    MoveOn.org

2008-09-05T00:04:00.003-04:00

Police Brutally Arrest Journalists & Citizens outside Republican National Convention

Activists Charged with Terrorism for Planning Civil Disobedience – Faced with 7 Years in Jail!

The arrest of more than 300 citizens and journalists participating in First Amendment protected protests in St. Paul is the latest sign that ours is a nation turning toward authoritarianism. Most recently 8 activists have received terrorism charges for planning civil disobedience! You must speak out!

On September 1, many journalists including Amy Goodman and her producers were arrested during a protest outside of the RNC. Stories are pouring in of other journalists who have been arrested. The editor of TowardFreedom.com recently said the publication’s reporter might be in jail. Journalists from the University of Kentucky were arrested on Wednesday. An Associated Press photographer was also arrested. Never-mind those we don’t know of. On Thursday, August 4 Democracy Now! Reported that “Ramsey County prosecutors have formally charged eight members of a prominent activist group with conspiracy to riot in furtherance of terrorism” (“Eight Members of RNC Activist Group Lodged with Terrorism Charges”).

According to Democracy Now! (August 3), on Tuesday: “police fired flash bang grenades and teargas at peaceful protesters after the end of a march led by the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign. The grenades are designed to produce a deafening bang and a blinding flash. Twin Cities police arrested at least ten people on Tuesday, bringing the total number this week to over 300….Democracy Now! caught up with a medic shortly after he was freed after more than twenty hours behind bars. Medic: “There are still a whole lot of people in jail waiting to get out, and a lot of people are really uncertain about how they’re getting out. And some of them have various injuries from pepper spray and getting beat up by the cops before getting in” (“Police Fire Flash Grenades, Teargas at RNC Protesters”).

MEDIA COVERAGE

Eight Members of RNC Activist Group Lodged with Terrorism Charges (includes interview with father of one of the accused)
I-Witness Video Collective Forced Out of Living Space After Second Raid by St. Paul Police in Five Days
Nearly 400 Arrested on Last Day of RNC, Including Over a Dozen Media Workers
400 Protesters Arrested Near Convention Sept. 5, Associated Press
“We Are Not Terrorists”: Activists with the RNC Welcoming Committee Speak Out Against Police Crackdown & Terrorism Charges

WHAT YOU CAN DO -- TAKE ACTION!

I truly mean it when I say my heart is breaking as I read about more journalists and citizens being rounded-up in St. Paul; and innocent organizers being charges as terrorists. The good news is that despite the mainstream media's refusal to cover this story, people are nevertheless learning about the abuse of power and speaking out.

On September 5th (Friday) I spoke to a woman at the Ramsey County Attorney who says she has been hearing from people all around the world. Please use the numbers below and be just one more person they have heard from.

The woman I spoke to listened as I implored her to consider the implications of her office's actions. She asked me to go to the website but I continued to talk to her. I said that I didn't want to go to a website that I wanted to talk with HER. That I wanted to reminder her that behind websites there are people; I asked her to please set aside the script of her professionalism, to talk with me from American to American, from human to human. I'm not sure how much good I did, but she said the call had been documented; and she listened...now it's your turn. The more of us that call, the more they will have to listen.

Jeff Nall

TAKE ACTION

Our Democracy Depends on it!

EMAIL:

DROP THE PHONY CHARGES AGAINST RNC PROTESTERS!DEFEND THE RIGHT TO DISSENT! (Petition from TroopsOutNow.org)

This is America. We don't jail journalists here. (Email campaign from Credo)

CALL

Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner
RCA at co.ramsey.mn.us (cc: dropthecharges at democracynow.org)
651-266-3222

Susan Gaertner for Governor
info at susangaertner.com (cc: dropthecharges at democracynow.org)
(612) 978-8625

St. Paul City Attorney John Choi
john.choi at ci.stpaul.mn.us (cc: dropthecharges at democracynow.org) (651) 266-8710

Ramsey County Jail -- 651.266.9350
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman -- 651.266.8510
Ramsey County Sheriff's office -- 651.487.5149

**************************************************************

Eight Members of RNC Activist Group Lodged with Terrorism Charges

Ramsey County prosecutors have formally charged eight members of a prominent activist group with conspiracy to riot in furtherance of terrorism. The eight members of the RNC Welcoming Committee are believed to be the first persons ever charged under the 2002 Minnesota version of the federal PATRIOT Act. The activists face up to seven-and-a-half years in prison. We speak with the father of one of those charged and the president of the Minnesota chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (Democracy Now!, August 4, 2008).

“St. Paul Police Shut Down Concert, Continue Assault

5,000 Marching Against Poverty Met with Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets” - ANSWER

Undeterred by a climate of heavy police repression and threats, over 5,000 protesters took to the streets of St. Paul to march against poverty on Sept. 2, the second day of the Republican National Convention. From the early morning until late into the night, thousands more took part in protest actions all over the city. The “Poor people’s march for our lives” marched through downtown St. Paul, past the Minnesota State Capitol and to the Xcel Center, site of the RNC. Made up of thousands of young people, the protest was militant and very multi-national. Vibrant chants of “Education, Not Occupation! Education, Not Incarceration!” echoed strongly throughout the march.

On day two, the police continued their intimidation tactics and brutality. Young people on bikes were targeted. The ANSWER delegation witnessed people being knocked off their bikes by police and arrested. Teams of bicycle cops systematically harassed, surrounded and questioned anyone who was walking to an anti-RNC event.

Police in riot gear shut down a permitted free concert at the State Capitol where thousands of people had gathered to listen to Rage Against the Machine. The police surrounded the band’s trailer and informed them that they were being shut down on the grounds that their concert would “incite a riot.” Rage Against the Machine defied the order and played a short acoustic set.

In the evening, police fired large amounts of teargas, “anti-crowd” explosives and pepper spray at thousands of protesters who gathered outside the Xcel Center at the end of the big anti-poverty march. The Xcel Center is surrounded by eight foot fencing and heavily guarded at all times.

On Sept. 2, another 10 people were arrested. The broad assault on the protesters has been coordinated at the federal and local level and carried out by the FBI, ICE, the National Guard, state police, local police and the coast guard.
….
Protests are continuing over the next two days with a mass march and rally on Thursday set to coincide with John McCain’s acceptance speech. The Minnesota Anti-war Committee is sponsoring the protest and the ANSWER Coalition along with many other local and national groups have endorsed the action

SOURCE: ANSWER

VIDEO OF DEMOCRACY NOW PRODUCER BRUTAL ARREST
VIDEO OF AMY GOODMAN’S ARREST
GOODMAN DISCUSSES HER ARREST & MISLEADING REPORTS OF “VIOLENT ANARCHISTS”
RNC Raids: Police Intimidate Community Organizers and Activists”

2008-09-03T10:30:00.003-04:00

Half-a-Thousand March to Stop War on Iran in Melbourne, Florida

Newly Published/ In the News: “The March to War with Iran” by Jeff Nall, Z magazine (Sept 2008) “Finding a Secret War on Iran” by Jeff Nall, The Humanist (Sept/Oct. 2008) Jeff Nall’s appearance on the Mark Weaver radio show. In the 2nd half of the 2 hour show, Jeff discussed the upcoming peace march, his new book, and activist strategies (August 22, 2008)v “Jeff Nall book-signing Friday,” Florida Today by Maria Sonnenberg (August 24, 2008)

*******************************************************************************************

Boisterous denunciations of war echoed through the streets of downtown Melbourne as hundreds from around Florida marched to stop war on Iran this past Saturday, August 30th.
The daily paper, Florida Today (“Rally focuses on Iran, saber-rattling. Hundreds protest prospect of US acting against Iran,” August 31, 2008), reported that about half-a-thousand people participated in “Florida’s First Mass March to Stop War on Iran.” Participants included citizens from Miami, Riverview, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Daytona, Gainesville, St. Augustine, Palm Beach, as well as Broward, Indian River and Brevard counties.
Check out Florida Today’s 21 PHOTO GALLERY; and Progressive Democratic Coalition of Indian River’s PHOTOS PDCIR.org

As early as an hour before the start time, citizens teemed into Front Street Park in preparation for the demonstration carrying hand-painted signs, banners, flags, and drums. There the Melbourne Drum Tribe energized activists with a drumbeat for peace. Two media outlets were on hand along with several citizen journalists to witness the nation’s largest demonstrations on the Iran question since 1,000 marched in New York City on August 2.
At 2:45pm participants began marching. The demonstration snaked south and then north along a nearby major thoroughfare, US1/Harbor City Blvd. Further along the march route protestors’ forceful demands for peace echoed throughout downtown Melbourne: “If they wont give us peace/ we’ll take it to the streets”; “What do we want – Peace!, When do we want it – Now!“ Shop owners and other onlookers stopped to witness the march which brought together a wide variety of often disparate groups, socialists, Democrats, Ron Paul supporters, Greens; Buddhists, Humanists, Christians, Unitarian Universalists. All seemed to share the perspective that elections are just a small the beginning of social change. Florida Today reporter, Susanne Cervenka reported that among the participants were protestors who had grown dispirited and been inactive as of late.
Later protestors arrived at Melbourne City Hall where they weathered scattered showers and listened to a range of anti-war activists, artists, and candidates. The group of speakers represented an increasingly ubiquitous base of opposition to war. a

OUR VICTORY
Florida’s First Mass March to Stop War on Iran succeeded in multiple ways. First and foremost, it brought together people who are committed to making the world better than it is now. It energized those who had grown despondent and discouraged by our nation’s persistent and continual war policy. It helped to foster an alternative to the prevailing culture of war found throughout the US; instead the mass march reminded us all that we are not alone and that, if we remain as committed to peace and being opposed to war as the war mongers are committed to warfare, then we can prevail. More importantly, many recognized that ours is a “war” fought one battle at a time, one day at a time. On August 30th, we won the battle against propaganda aiming to bring our nation closer to war with Iran; we won the battle against those trying to dehumanize Iranians into targets and not human beings; on August 30th we won the battle against those who quietly support bills like H. Con. Res 362, which lays the groundwork for war.

OUR IMPACT – MAINSTREAM MEDIA COVERAGE
The March to Stop War on Iran succeeded in tearing the veil hiding Washington’s movement toward war with Iran. In addition to immediately impacting both those who participated in the march as well as the many who witnessed it, media coverage brought the issue to bare in a widely read newspaper and on televisions around Central Florida.
Over the course of the past month organizers succeeded in bringing the issue of war with Iran to the attention of multiple media outlets. Earlier in the month spokesman Jeff Nall appeared on a local cable access network (TV 31) and then more recently he appeared on the Mark Weaver show.
In the lead-up to the event, the daily paper (circulation of about 100,000 daily) ran a quality preview of the march and organizers’ concerns about war with Iran (“Organizers expect record crowd at anti-war rally,” Florida Today, August 30, 2008).
The day after the march the same paper published a rather sizeable piece on the cover of the local news section along with several photos from the protest. Online the paper published a gallery of 21 photos. (STORY: “Rally focuses on Iran, saber-rattling. Hundreds protest prospect of US acting against Iran,” August 31, 2008; GALLERY: “Peace March”).
Central Florida News Channel 13, based out of Orlando, also broadcasted news of the demonstration and marchers’ grievances to tens of thousands the day of the march.
Space Coast Progressive Alliance leader, Cammie Donaldson praised the event’s success in attracting mainstream media coverage: “I think the coverage of yesterday's march (in yesterday [August 30] and today's paper [August 31]) has to be the best that has ever been locally. Real content! And today, actual numbers documented -- perhaps a first for the freaking mainstream media. This may be the only count that hasn't been low-balled!” Central Florida Veterans for Peace organizer, Phil Restino, said the event was “a great success” and noted the excellent media coverage.
NOTE: Photos by Laura Fausone, Dave Bazinet, Florida Today, and Jeff Nall
*******************************************************************************************
Big Turnout for Official Release of Perpetual Revolt
As many as 60 to 70 people participated in Jeff Nall’s official release of his new book Perpetual Revolt. Food, drink, and amazing music filled the evening. Nall offered the audience a passionate performance of his own, discussing his concept of “perpetual revolt.”
Particular thanks goes out to April Nall, Joseph Nall, Bill Burton, Bill Whitehead, Michele Paccione, and the guys of 23 Treez, The Nine Volts, and Benny S and Da Tribe.
*******************************************************************************************
September Events
September 13 – Orlando Book Signing
On the heels of an August 30th official book release that turned out 50-70 people, Jeff Nall will hold a book signing on September 13 at Urban Think! Bookstore in Orlando, 625 East Central Blvd, Orlando. The event runs from 5pm to 7pm. For additional details go to http://www.urbanthinkorlando.com/
September 14 – New Progressive Alliance, Cocoa
On Sunday, September 14 Jeff Nall will present a talk on Uniting Secular, Religious and Spiritual Progressives to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cocoa (1261 Range Road, Cocoa, Florida). The event runs from 11am to 12pm. For more info go to http://www.uucocoa.org/
September 21 – Winter Park
On Sunday, September 21 Public Revolt & Jeff Nall will participate in the Global Peace Street Fair in Winter Park, Florida. Public Revolt will be on hand to offer fair-trade peace apparel made by independent artists. Jeff will also sign copies of his book, Perpetual Revolt. The event runs from 10am to 3pm. For more info go to http://www.peacefilmfest.org/

2008-08-28T23:25:00.001-04:00

War with

Iran

Would be Senseless and Costly
By Jeff Nall

On July 7 investigative journalist Seymour Hersh reported that the Bush administration, with Congress’s consent, has begun a secret war on

Iran

. Hersh’s sources indicate that Bush was granted millions to escalate covert operations against the nation.

Recently, Democrats have joined Republicans in endorsing the bellicose H. Con Res. 362 which calls on President Bush to implement a blockade against

Iran

Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, The Presbyterian Church (USA) have denounced the bill as a dangerous step towards war. Military leaders are also troubled. Lt. General Robert G. Gard, Jr., U.S. Army (ret.), former Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Lawrence J. Korb, and Vice Admiral Jack Shanahan, U.S. Navy (ret.) describe the bill as "poorly conceived, poorly timed, and potentially dangerous."

The consequences of going to war with

Iran

would be horrifying. Gas prices will skyrocket, many more American soldiers will die, and tens-of-thousands of women and children will be destroyed beneath our bombs. Our government’s own data, reported in the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), reported that Iran does not have a nuclear bomb and is not an imminent threat to the

United States

2008-08-23T01:58:00.002-04:00

Florida's First Mass March to Stop War on Iran is stacking up to be an amazing event. On Friday we received our 30th endorser. For a complete list and all the details you could want go to www.HumanistsforPeace.com. We've also been receiving an outpouring of support: There are 2 vans scheduled to caravan to Melbourne from Tampa; a sign maker is so sick of the war in Iraq that he is making event signs for our group at cost; we passed out more than a thousand flyers; local media has pledged to cover our peace march.

Interestingly, we've been receiving support from a candidate running for sheriff in Brevard county as well as other people who have run for local office. The anti-war position is truly becoming popularized. We must keep up the pressure; we must engage in Perpetual Revolt.

If you'd like to make it up but can't drive, try the bus: http://www.greyhound.com/scripts/en/TicketCenter/terminal.asp?city=470987

Upcoming Events by Eventful

2008-08-18T00:33:00.006-04:00

Florida's First
Mass March to Stop War with Iran
2pm, Saturday, August 30^th, Melbourne (FL)

Be a part of an exciting, historic movement against war!
Join hundreds from around Florida in putting pressure on
Democrats and Republicans to prevent war on Iran
Vietnam-era draft resister and long time peace activist, Michael Canney to speak

MELBOURNE – On Saturday, August 30 the grassroots group, Brevard Patriots for Peace, will lead a nonpartisan march from Front Street Park, in Melbourne Florida, to Melbourne City Hall to demand Democrats and Republicans halt build-up for war against Iran at 2pm.

To date the event has been endorsed by Central Florida Veterans For Peace, CODEPINK Florida, The Green Party of Florida, and dozens of organizations around the state. from Key West, to South Florida, to Tampa, to Ocala, to the Panhandle, to St. Augustine and Indian River County. The event will be Florida’s first major action against war with Iran. (Complete list of endorsers below.)

This grassroots effort aims to present the simple message: Don’t buy the rhetoric and the lies again, “No War with Iran.” The mass march is purposed to educate the public about the bipartisan bill, House Concurrent Resolution 362, which seeks deadly sanctions and a blockade against Iran; new details of the U.S.’s secret war on Iran as reported by Seymour Hersh in the New Yorker; and the fact that Iran, according to the U.S. National Intelligence Estimate, does not posses a nuclear weapon.

Patriots for Peace’s spokesman contends that a war on Iran would be both irrational and immoral. “The consequences of going to war with Iran would be horrifying,” said co-organizer Jeff Nall. “Gas prices will skyrocket, many more American soldiers will die, and tens-of-thousands of women and children will be destroyed beneath our bombs. Our government’s own data, reported in the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE), reported that Iran does not have a nuclear bomb and is not an imminent threat to the United States. And multiple military leaders object to the idea of starting war or sanctions on Iran. Killing hundreds of thousands of people in this manner is simply immoral.”

Michael Canney will be among those scheduled to speak at the event. Canney is a Vietnam-era draft resister and long time peace and justice activist who currently serves as co-chair of the Alachua County Green Party. Canney, a former co-chair of the Green Party of Florida is a member of the national Green Party's Peace Action Committee (GPAX) and a delegate to the Green Party National Committee.

Those interested in participating should contact Jeff Nall for more information: sabletide@yahoo.com or go to www.HumanistsforPeace.com for up-to-the-date information.

List of Endorsers:

CODEPINK Florida
The Green Party of Florida
Humanists for Peace
Brevard NOW
Peace Now Citrus County
Palm Beach County Green Party
Marions for Peace
People for Peace and Justice/St. Augustine
Social Concerns Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Key West
Humanists of Greater Fort Walton Beach
Central Florida Veterans For Peace
CODEPINK of East Central Florida
St Pete for Peace
Military Families Speak Out (Florida Chapter)
Tallahassee Network for Justice and Peace
Veterans for Peace-Chapter 15
SoFlo Raging Grannies
Vietnam Veterans Against the War--Tallahassee Chapter
the Broward AntiWar Coalition
Unitarian Universalist Church of Brevard
Arlington South (erects crosses on the beach with names, ages of US soldiers killed in Iraq).
Ad Hoc committee to Honor Fallen Soldiers and Gold Star Families (Indian River County)
Progressive Democratic Coalition of Indian River
CODEPINK South Florida
Miami for Peace
Brevard Amnesty International
Environmental and Peace Education Center of Southwest Florida (Fort Myers)

2008-07-30T14:40:00.006-04:00

Momentum Grows for Florida’s First Mass March to Stop War with Iran

Sign this petition, "Tell Congress: No acts of war in Iran": http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/no_iran_blockade/?r_by=632-1217967-S3AXRqx&rc=paste
PDA's campaign to defeat H.Con.R. 362: http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/issues/alert/?alertid=11587606&PROCESS=Take+Action

What: Florida's First Mass Anti-War March to Stop War with Iran
When: 2pm, Saturday, August 30
Where: March from Front Street Park (2205 S. Front Street, Melbourne, FL 32935) to Melbourne City Hall City Hall (900 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne, FL 32901.)

Our list of endorsers continues to grow:
1. CODEPINK Florida
2. Brevard NOW
3. Peace Now Citrus County
4. Palm Beach County Green Party
5. Marions for Peace
6. People for Peace and Justice/St. Augustine
7. Social Concerns Committee of the Unitarian
8. Universalist Fellowship of Key West
9. Humanists of Greater Fort Walton Beach
10. Central Florida Veterans For Peace
11. CODEPINK of East Central Florida
12. St Pete for Peace
13. Military Families Speak Out (Florida Chapter)
14. Tallahassee Network for Justice and Peace
15. Veterans for Peace, Chapter 15
16. SoFlo Raging Grannies.

We will begin distributing 5,000 flyers at the August 6th vigil dedicated to Stopping War with Iran. If you'd like info on the event or would like to endorse it email me: sabletide@yahoo.com

Please help spread the word. Download flyers here:

FRONT: http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g163/sabletide/March2.jpg
BACK: http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g163/sabletide/March1.jpg
And be sure to sign Kucinich's Petition in support of Impeachment
http://kucinich.us/impeachment/petition/index2.php

2008-07-25T16:18:00.002-04:00

Upcoming Events by Eventful

View the complete Jeff Nall tour schedule

2008-07-23T12:23:00.001-04:00

The Bipartisan Road to War in Iran

and The Activist Response

Written by Jeff Nall
http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle/18247

http://www.towardfreedom.com/

More than 100 House Democrats have joined 117 House Republicans in co-sponsoring a bill which peace activists fear may further pave the road to war with Iran. The Bill, House Concurrent Resolution 362, describes Iran as a threat to international peace, stability in the Middle East, and US National Security. Introduced on May 22 by New York Democrat Gary Ackerman, the bill calls for an affective blockade against Iran, which, according to international law, is an act of aggression.As of July 5 the bill has 220 co-sponsors including prominent Democrats such as Barney Frank (MA), Alcee Hastings (FL), Steny Hoyer (MD), Henry Waxman (CA), and the "Fire Breathing Liberal" himself, Rep. Robert Wexler (FL). [A total of 9 Florida Democrats]

H. Con. Res. 362 specifically calls on President Bush to "initiate an international effort to immediately and dramatically increase the economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Iran to verifiably suspend its nuclear enrichment activities." The bill urges the President to block refined petroleum exports to Iran and to impose "stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran; and prohibiting the international movement of all Iranian officials not involved in negotiating the suspension of Iran's nuclear program."In a June 24 editorial, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer pointed out that the United Nations holds that "a unilateral blockade constitutes an act of war." The paper asks whether or not supporters of Res. 362 are "asleep at the wheel, or are they just anxious to drag us into another illegal war?" ("Iran: Scary language.")

According to a press release from the Council for A Livable World, three retired military leaders have sent a letter to lawmakers "urging them to abandon" H. Con. Res. 362. Lt. General Robert G. Gard, Jr., U.S. Army (ret.), former Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. Lawrence J. Korb, and Vice Admiral Jack Shanahan, U.S. Navy (ret.) describe the bill as "poorly conceived, poorly timed, and potentially dangerous."

READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE: “The Bipartisan Road to War in Iran and The Activist Response”

Take Action STOP WAR ON IRAN

1) CALL:

Call as many Democrats who have co-sponsored this bill and tell them you are outraged to see Democrats laying the ground for war on Iran; that they should be working to Impeach the president so that he doesn’t launch another criminal “Pre-emptive” attack on an unoffending nation [Phone numbers for all 9 Florida Democratic Co-sponsors below].
Call the bill’s main sponsor, Congressman Gary Ackerman (202-225-2601), and urge him to withdraw H. Con. Res. 362 and promote diplomacy, not war.

2) SIGN:
Z Magazine’s letter to Barack Obama on Iran, signed by the likes of Noam Chomsky: "An Open Letter to Barack Obama on Iran"http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle/18096
Code Pink’s petition urging Barack Obama to pursue diplomacy with Iran: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=XCP%2BOhFYfvpfHBw7%2FgIlNYKQkuVefEpY
StopWarOnIran.org’s “Tell Bush and Congress:No War against Iran” petition: http://stopwaroniran.org/petition.shtml

3) MARCH: Who: Brevard Patriots for Peace
What: Florida's First Mass Anti-War March to Prevent War with Iran
When: 2pm, Saturday, August 30
Where: March from Front Street Park (2205 S. Front Street, Melbourne, FL 32935) to Melbourne City Hall City Hall (900 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne, FL 32901.)
For more info: email Jeff at sabletide@yahoo.com

****************************************************************************
Call Democratic Co-Sponsors of HR 362 and S. Res 580 -- Demand they Renounce them & Set Out to Ensure Bush Doesn’t Strike Again
Regarding HR 362
Alcee Hastings, Florida, District 23 Washington Office2353 Rayburn Office BuildingWashington D.C. 20515Tel: (202) 225-1313Fax: (202) 225-1171
Robert Wexler, Florida, District 19 Washington, D.C. Office 2241 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515phone: (202) 225-3001fax: (202) 225-5974
Corrine Brown, Florida, District 3 Washington Office2336 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515 (202) 225-0123Fax: (202) 225-2256
Kendrick Meek, Florida, District 17 Broward County10100 Pines BoulevardThird Floor, Building BPembroke Pines, FL 33026Phone: 954-450-6767Fax: 954-450-6768
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Florida, District 20 Washington Office 118 Cannon H.O.BWashington, DC 20515Phone: 202-225-7931 Fax: 202-226-2052
F. Allen Boyd, Jr., Florida, District 2 Washington Office1227 Longworth HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-5235(202) 225-5615 Fax
Kathy Castor, Florida, District 11 Washington Office317 Cannon House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515Phone: (202)225-3376
Ron Klein, Florida, District 22 Washington Office313 Cannon House Office Bldg.Washington, D.C. 20515p: (202) 225.3026f: (202) 225.8398
Tim Mahoney, Florida, District 16 Washington DC Office1541 Longworth BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515Phone: (202) 225-5792Fax: (202) 225-3132

2008-07-11T14:11:00.000-04:00

REVOLT AGAINST BUILDUP

FOR WAR ON IRAN!

“Liberal” Democrats Throw Gasoline on Bush’s Burning Desire to Bomb Iran
Take Action to STOP WAR ON IRAN – SAVE LIVES!
Key Highlights from Hersh’s Article about U.S. Covert Operations in Iran

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“Liberal” Democrats Throw Gasoline on Bush’s Burning Desire to Bomb Iran

More than 70 House Democrats have joined more than 90 House Republicans in co-sponsoring House Resolution 362, which would amount to a blockade against Iran. As pointed out by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer editorial board, the United Nations holds that a unilateral blockade constitutes an act of war. (“Iran: Scary language.”)

Among the co-sponsors are NINE Florida Democrats including
1) Rep. Robert Wexler (Dist 19),
2) Rep. Kendrick Meek (Dist 17),
3) Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Dist 20),
4) Rep. Rob Klein (Dist 22),
5) Rep. Corine Brown (Dist 3),
6) Rep. F. Allen Boyd, Jr. (Dist 2),
7) Rep. Kathy Castor (Dist 11),
8) Tim Mahoney (Dist 16),
9) Rep. Alcee Hastings (Dist 23) – my own representative

Sadly, a parallel bill, sponsored by Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), is being pushed through in the Senate (S. RES 580). Florida Senators Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson are among the bill’s current 32 co-sponsors.

SO WHY ARE DEMS SUPPORTING THIS FAULTY, PRO-WAR BILL?
A: The Pro-Israel lobby.

Reporter Matthew Palevsky said: “The rapid endorsement of this resolution has been credited to the pro-Israel lobby, specifically the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, which sent thousands of its members to Capitol Hill to lobby for the resolution in early June. Porter believes that Congress was responding more to the Israel lobby than to any new intelligence on Iran or events on the ground.” Gareth Porter went on to say that Congress has so in-bed with AIPAC that most politicians “simply accept whatever AIPAC gives them, without any question, without any discussion, and to turn that into legislation.”
Source: “Gareth Porter says that US House Res. 362 suggests the use of force with new bill,”

CO-SPONSOR DEMS & PRO-ISRAEL LOBBY
Interestingly, the “Pro-Israel” lobby is among the top 5 campaign contributors to both my congressman Alcee Hastings ($29,600) and Schultz ($37,550).

A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE A WAR-MONGER PROUD
The resolution’s title sounds like something straight out of President Bush’s mouth: “Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the threat posed to international peace, stability in the Middle East, and the vital national security interests of the United States by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and regional hegemony, and for other purposes.”

It also continues with the double-speak of describing “Hamas” as having seized control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority, with no mention of the fact Hamas was indeed democratically elected:
“Whereas Iran's support for Hamas has enabled it to illegally seize control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority, and to continuously bombard Israeli civilians with rockets and mortars….” The bill says nothing of Israeli’s role in the Middle East crisis.

The frightening portion of the resolution:
“demands that the President initiate an international effort to immediately and dramatically increase the economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on Iran to verifiably suspend its nuclear enrichment activities by, inter alia, prohibiting the export to Iran of all refined petroleum products; imposing stringent inspection requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo entering or departing Iran; and prohibiting the international movement of all Iranian officials not involved in negotiating the suspension of Iran's nuclear program."

Consider this in the context of Hersh’s discovery that Congress:
“agreed to a request from President Bush to fund a major escalation of covert operations against Iran, according to current and former military, intelligence, and congressional sources. These operations, for which the President sought up to four hundred million dollars, were described in a Presidential Finding signed by Bush, and are designed to destabilize the country’s religious leadership.”

As Presidential Findings must be disclosed to Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate, Hersh writes that:
“some members of the Democratic leadership—Congress has been under Democratic control since the 2006 elections—were willing, in secret, to go along with the Administration in expanding covert activities directed at Iran, while the Party’s presumptive candidate for President, Barack Obama, has said that he favors direct talks and diplomacy.”

This is a speeding train heading for war.
And the Democrats are on board once again.

*******************************************************************************************
Take Action
STOP WAR ON IRAN
WE CAN’T LET OUR COUNTRY MURDER ANOTHER 500,000 PEOPLE

I know many of us are in “election” mode, putting our bets on “Hope” and a new president. For those of us willing to face the facts, the problem is that we must recognize that electing Democrats alone will not bring about peace. According to StopWarOnIran.org: Congressional leadership has assumed that there will be little opposition to the resolution - a staffer in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office said that it is expected to "pass like a hot knife through butter." They need to hear from you today to let them know that we will not be silent as they initiate another illegal war in the Middle East using discredited lies about "weapons of mass destruction."

1) CALL:
Call as many Florida Democrats (and Rep. Feeny) who have co-sponsored this bill and tell them you are outraged to see Democrats laying the ground for war on Iran; that they should be working to Impeach the president so that he doesn’t launch another criminal “Pre-emptive” attack on an unoffending nation [phone numbers are below].
Code Pink has begun targeting Congressman Gary Ackerman, who is the main sponsor. Code Pink urges everyone to call (202-225-2601) and urge him to withdraw H. Con. Res. 362 and promote diplomacy, not war. “Your calls will strengthen the impact of our direct action, and will help Ackerman and the rest of Congress understand that the American people want to avoid another tragic and unnecessary war.”
2) SIGN:
Code Pink’s petition urging Barack Obama to pursue diplomacy with Iran: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=XCP%2BOhFYfvpfHBw7%2FgIlNYKQkuVefEpY
StopWarOnIran.org’s “Tell Bush and Congress:No War against Iran” petition: http://stopwaroniran.org/petition.shtml
StopWarOnIran.org’s statement, “Stop the war on Iran before it starts!,” http://stopwaroniran.org/statement.shtml
3) MARCH:
Contact Jeff Nall to get info on or get involved in the planning of a mass march against war with Iran, planned for Saturday August 30th: sabletide@yahoo.com You can also get updates on this issue at his blog: www.JeffNall.com/blog
This event is being held in solidarity with StopWarOnIran.org, which has organized events for the month of August in over 50 cities including New York City in Times Square, Washington DC, Los Angeles, several cities in Texas, throughout New England, towns in Utah, as well as United For Peace and Justice and Code Pink.

I am terrified of the prospects of our nation murdering another half-million or more innocent humans again. The time has come for us to produce forceful, outraged, (of course nonviolent), street marches as we had in the lead up to the Iraq war. We must bring this information to the people because, with so many Democrats on board, only those of us who are committed to truth and justice above politics and parties will be bold enough to do so.

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Call Democratic Co-Sponsors of HR 362 and S. Res 580 -- Demand they Renounce them & Set Out to Ensure Bush Doesn’t Strike Again

CONTACT INFO
S. RES 580
Sen. Bill Nelson - regarding
Washington, D.C.United States Senate716 Senate Hart Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510Phone: 202-224-5274Fax: 202-228-2183
Orlando Landmark Two 225 East Robinson Street, Ste 410Orlando, Florida 32801Phone: 407-872-7161Toll Free in Florida: 1-888-671-4091Fax: 407-872-7165

Regarding HR 362
Alcee Hastings, Florida, District 23
West Palm BeachOffice5725 Corporate WaySuite 208West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Tel: (561) 684-0565Fax: (561) 684-3613
Fort Lauderdale Office2701 W. Oakland Park BlvdSuite 200Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 Tel: (954) 733-2800Fax: (954) 735-9444
Washington Office2353 Rayburn Office BuildingWashington D.C. 20515Tel: (202) 225-1313Fax: (202) 225-1171

Robert Wexler, Florida, District 19
Palm Beach County Office 2500 North Military TrailSuite 490 Boca Raton, FL 33431 phone: (561) 988-6302fax: (561) 988-6423
Washington, D.C. Office 2241 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515phone: (202) 225-3001fax: (202) 225-5974
Broward County OfficeMargate City Hall5790 Margate BlvdMargate, FL 33063 phone: (954) 972-6454 fax: (954) 974-3191

Corrine Brown, Florida, District 3
Washington Office2336 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515 (202) 225-0123Fax: (202) 225-2256
Jacksonville Office101 E. Union Street, Suite 202Jacksonville, FL 32202 (904) 354-1652Fax: (904) 354-2721
Orlando Office219 Lime AvenueOrlando, FL 32805 (407) 872-0656Fax: (407) 872-5763
Gainesville (352) 376-6476

Kendrick Meek, Florida, District 17
Broward County10100 Pines BoulevardThird Floor, Building BPembroke Pines, FL 33026Phone: 954-450-6767Fax: 954-450-6768

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Florida, District 20
Pembroke Pines
10100 Pines Blvd.Pembroke Pines, FL 33026Phone: 954-437-3936Fax: 954-437-4776
Aventura
19200 West Country Club Drive, 3rd FloorAventura, FL 33180Phone: 305-936-5724Fax: 305-932-9664
Washington Office
118 Cannon H.O.BWashington, DC 20515Phone: 202-225-7931 Fax: 202-226-2052

F. Allen Boyd, Jr., Florida, District 2
Washington Office1227 Longworth HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-5235(202) 225-5615 Fax
Tallahassee Office1650 Summit Lake DriveSuite 103Tallahassee, FL 32317(850) 561-3979(850) 681-2902 Fax
Panama City Office30 W. Government St.Suite 203Panama City, FL 32401(850) 785-0812(850) 763-3764 Fax

Kathy Castor, Florida, District 11
Washington Office317 Cannon House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515Phone: (202)225-3376Fax: (202)225-5652Tampa Office4144 N Armenia AveSuite 300Tampa, FL 33607Phone: (813)871-2817Fax: (813)871-2864

Ron Klein, Florida, District 22
Washington Office313 Cannon House Office Bldg.Washington, D.C. 20515p: (202) 225.3026f: (202) 225.8398
Broward Office800 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 300Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301p: (954) 522.4579f: (954) 522.4965
Palm Beach Office625 North Flagler Drive, Suite 402West Palm Beach, FL 33401p: (561) 651.7594f: (561) 651.7954

Tim Mahoney, Florida, District 16
Washington DC Office1541 Longworth BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515Phone: (202) 225-5792Fax: (202) 225-3132
Martin Office9 SE Osceola StreetStuart, FL 34994-2125Phone: (772) 878-3181Fax: (772) 871-0651
Port Charlotte Office18500 Murdock Circle, Ste 536Port Charlotte, FL 33948Phone: (941) 627-9100Fax: (941) 627-9101

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Key Highlights from Hersh’s Article about
U.S. Covert Operations in Iran

“The request for funding came in the same period in which the Administration was coming to terms with a National Intelligence Estimate, released in December, that concluded that Iran had halted its work on nuclear weapons in 2003. The Administration downplayed the significance of the N.I.E., and, while saying that it was committed to diplomacy, continued to emphasize that urgent action was essential to counter the Iranian nuclear threat.”
Unnamed Democatic senator said Secretary of Defense Gates has warned senior Senate Democrats that, “as the senator recalled, ‘We’ll create generations of jihadists, and our grandchildren will be battling our enemies here in America.’”
Former head of U.S. Central Command, Admiral William Fallon, thinks attacking Iran is ill-advised. He has called some of the top-secret proposals regarding Iran “very stupid.” As to the notion that we’re either for or against Iran he told Hersh: “Too many people believe you have to be either for or against the Iranians. Let’s get serious. Eighty million people live there, and everyone’s an individual. The idea that they’re only one way or another is nonsense.”
“The Democratic leadership’s agreement to commit hundreds of millions of dollars for more secret operations in Iran was remarkable, given the general concerns of officials like Gates, Fallon, and many others. ‘The oversight process has not kept pace—it’s been coöpted’ by the Administration, the person familiar with the contents of the Finding said. ‘The process is broken, and this is dangerous stuff we’re authorizing.’
“…Congress does have the means to challenge the White House once it has been sent a Finding. It has the power to withhold funding for any government operation. The members of the House and Senate Democratic leadership who have access to the Finding can also, if they choose to do so, and if they have shared concerns, come up with ways to exert their influence on Administration policy.”
“Earlier this year, a militant Ahwazi group claimed to have assassinated a Revolutionary Guard colonel, and the Iranian government acknowledged that an explosion in a cultural center in Shiraz, in the southern part of the country, which killed at least twelve people and injured more than two hundred, had been a terrorist act and not, as it earlier insisted, an accident. It could not be learned whether there has been American involvement in any specific incident in Iran, but, according to Gardiner, the Iranians have begun publicly blaming the U.S., Great Britain, and, more recently, the C.I.A. for some incidents…. ‘This is new, and it’s an escalation—a ratcheting up of tensions. It rallies support for the regime and shows the people that there is a continuing threat from the ‘Great Satan.’ ” In Gardiner’s view, the violence, rather than weakening Iran’s religious government, may generate support for it.”
U.S. is supporting extremist groups including the Jundallah, the Mujahideen-e-Khalq or M.E.K. (on State Department’s terrorist list for decades), and a Kurdish separatist group, the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan, or PJAK.
November 2007 Gallup poll found 73% support economic and diplomatic means to stop Iran’s nuclear program; only 18% support military action. “Republicans were twice as likely as Democrats to endorse a military strike.”
“It is not known whether McCain, who is the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, has been formally briefed on the operations in Iran. At the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, in June, Obama repeated his plea for “tough and principled diplomacy.” But he also said, along with McCain, that he would keep the threat of military action against Iran on the table.”

2008-07-01T14:58:00.002-04:00

The Revolutionary Jesus the Right Is Trying to Hide

Whether you’re a devout Christian or a diehard atheist you have to read John Crossan’s book Jesus, A Revolutionary Biography. This book is more than a portrait of a man who rose up from the lowest ranks of society to fight for social justice; it’s a testament to the ironic obsession of men to obscure great human acts, cloaking them in allegory and divinity. After all, Jesus’ fame was not the result of his being immaculately conceived or his being the son of God; nor did it stem from his association with magi, shepherds, or the morning star. Those are pedestrian qualities he shares with the likes of old gods like Mithras, Attis, Dionysus, Osiris, and countless other dying and resurrecting gods.

With Crossan as our guide, Jesus, A Revolutionary Biography leads us to discover that it was Jesus’ human works and his radical vision of unfettered equality[1] that helped exalt him into the celestial annals of this world. Concentrating on the vision that made him immortal, rather than the immortality resulting from such a vision, Crossan produces a historical Jesus whose ideals seemed lost upon the very religion that bares his name. Jesus’ purpose, explains Crossan, was the negation of “the hierarchical and paternal normalcies of Jewish religion and Roman power,” via “the combination of free healing and common eating.”[2]

After two-hundred pages of tearing away the opaque shades, drawn down by Christian orthodoxy, Crossan poses this question: “Is it time now…to conduct, religiously and theologically, ethically and morally, some basic cost accounting with Constantine?”[3] When one considers the often insidious application of the religion of Jesus the Christ: crusades and inquisitions; support of the inferiority of the races as late as the 1960s; and anti-gay legislation, indeed, it is clearly time for a reassessment of the teachings of Jesus. At the heart of Christianity lies an irreconcilable chasm between the teachings and mission of Jesus, and the institution of God, largely birthed by the Roman Emperor Constantine.

Evidence of the gulf between Jesus and what we now call Christianity, begins largely with the institutionalization of Jesus’ word. One can not overlook the absurdity that it was through a military victory Constantine discovered Jesus, not as a sage reproaching the warring ways of men, but rather as an ally in arms.[4] More importantly, it’s Constantine’s decision to make Jesus’ religion the preferred faith of the empire that belies the true vision of Jesus. Constantine does much more, in calling together the Council of Nicea, than commissioning elite men comforted by fortune and plenty, to take up the task of painting an impression of this revolutionary man and his religion.[5] Despite Jesus’ vision of the Kingdom of God, complete with its negation of “that terrible abuse of power that is power’s dark specter and lethal shadow,”[6] Constantine commands the creation of the authoritative masterpiece, reinforced by power that would become Christian orthodoxy.

Though many may credit Constantine’s conversion with helping to bring Jesus’ word to the Western world, Crossan’s account of Jesus insists that we ask us to consider what was lost in Jesus’ transition from condemned rebel to enshrined God. The inherited Christian cannon, and the authority associated with specific interpretations and books is too polished, too complete: its finished glow, its angular perfection, its comforting solidarity; its sweet pastures of relieved tensions and concluded debates; its finality seems to convolute rather than clarify the real Jesus. And this convulsion seems to almost purposefully concentrate on Jesus’ physical death and sacrifice, rather than the spiritual ideals that drove him to begin his work in the first place.

The very notion that Christianity became the enforced faith of the masses, shortly after Constantine sadly defiles the purity and purpose of Jesus. Just consider that Emperor Theodosius instituted the death penalty for those practicing religions outside of Christian orthodoxy in 435 A.D.. The nature of his revolutionary movement required that its followers and believers, those partaking in the Kingdom of God, challenge the supreme authority; so when Jesus’ life and works were fitted into a religion, which then became that supreme authority, the veracity, the spiritual honesty of Jesus’ drive to bring forth the Kingdom of Heaven, was compromised. Jesus was the savior, not of all humankind, but rather he defended those that had been “squeezed out deliberately as human junk from the system’s own evil operations.”[7]

When one measures his ideals with those of any uniformed government, it is impossible that the two could be properly married: for Jesus negated “patriarchal chauvinism…in favor of blessedness open to anyone who wants it, without distinction of sex or gender, infertility or maternity.”[8] Even today, such a position is radically unorthodox. And Crossan admits this truth: “What he was saying and doing was as unacceptable in the first century as it would be in the twentieth--there, here, or anywhere.”[9]

In his conclusion Crossan writes, “Christianity must repeatedly, generation after generation, make its best historical judgment about who Jesus was then and, on that basis, decide what that reconstruction means as Christ now.”[10] And if we conclude that Crossan has provided a true depiction of Jesus, and his radical egalitarianism, then it is necessary that we restore this revolutionary man to his former greatness by taking him back from any institution using his life to provide bulwark for classism, sexism, nationalism, and spiritual authoritarianism.

You read the first chapter of the book here: http://www.johndcrossan.com/files/Chpt1_JesusRevolutionaryBiography.pdf

[1] Crossan, Jesus, A Revolutionary Biography (New York: HarperOne, 1995), 74.
[2] 198.
[3] 201.
[4] 201.
[5] 201.
[6] 60.
[7] 62
[8] 59
[9] 196
[10] 200

Introduction & A Word About "Perpetual Revolt," my new book

2008-06-09T14:53:00.001-04:00

Please excuse the shameless self-promotion but I just published my first book: "Perpetual Revolt: Essays on Peace & Justice and The Shared Values of Secular, Spiritual, and Religious Progressives" (Howling Dog Press, 250 pages, $15.95).

The book contains a lot of different material. The most important part of the book might be at the beginning where I offer my take on a philosophy of "Perpetual Revolt," a way of looking at our political, personal, and general life struggles.

The book covers broad ground as the name makes clear. As a secular-humanist I can't help but to be close to issues of church-state separation and the problems of religious fundamentalism. But as an anti-war activist I can't ignore my own nation's imperial foreign policy. And as a person who actually lives in a neighborhood rampant with poverty, drug-use, and prostitution, I can't help but to feel close to fundamental issues of poverty and the problems average people face in our capitalist economy. Finally, as a father to a young girl and a husband to an intelligent, beautiful woman, gender equality is also at the forefront of my mind. That's why I proudly declare myself a feminist. While some writers and activists target one specific cause, I feel drawn to all of these issues. As such, this blog, my website JeffNall.com will build on this broad set of issues and concerns.

Over the next few months I'll introduce you to a variety of important stories featured in my book. My hope is to give you a different perspective on issues including activism, church-state separation, atheists and religion, social-justice activism, Martin Luther King, and the ways in which we can really improve our lives, community, and nation.For now, check out my website http://www.jeffnall.com/ and read what some really great people have had to say about my book:

Praise for Perpetual Revolt:

“Jeff Nall's call for unity among secular, spiritual, and religious progressives is deserving of the widest possible circulation and support. This book offers eloquent, courageous support for Nall's crucial call to action. Even those of us progressives who consider ourselves neither 'revolutionary' nor 'radical' can be inspired by Nall’s work, andshould check it out.”
---Greg M. Epstein, Humanist Chaplain of Harvard University

“While leaders in Washington prepare to wage perpetual war, Jeff Nall's eloquent and inspiring book calls for waging perpetual revolt; a revolt against war, corporate greed, narrow mindedness and apathy. Full of exciting street reports and interviews from anti-war protests across the country, Perpetual Revolt is a timely account of peace activism in the Bush years and beyond. With thought-provoking analysis and refreshing insight, Nall writes from the left wing of the church, invoking Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy in nearly every page, and seeking common ground for much needed unity across religious and cultural lines. This call for social change beyond electoral politics is at once a portrait and field guide of a peace movement in the belly of the beast. Perpetual Revolt is an important document in a time of war, full of critiques as well as hope. This book should be widely read as it inspires people to take action beyond just voting in the next election.”
---Benjamin Dangl, author of "The Price of Fire: Resource Wars and Social Movements in Bolivia" (AK Press); editor of TowardFreedom.com, a progressive perspective on world events. Dangl is the recipient of two Project Censored Awards for his reporting from Latin America.

“In Perpetual Revolt, Jeff Nall asks us to “take deep breaths, long strides, and bold actions” to change the world in which we live. He challenges us to be “suspicious of passivity, of final responses, of ultimate goals and hints at utopias of any kind.” And he warns us that all of this is likely to make us uncomfortable, even while we build a better world. Nall accomplishes these difficult tasks through strong, forceful writing and great insight and, most importantly, without embracing a cynical outlook. He blends a clarion call for social justice with a heartfelt desire to build a bridge between religious and secular progressives. Perpetual Revolt incites us to think big thoughts and will, I surmise, move many to take meaningful action.”
---Michael Zimmerman, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Butler University, and Founder, The Clergy Letter Project

“Jeff Nall’s Perpetual Revolt is a well-written and insightful book. It is, in fact, really two books – one for the Peace and Justice movement based on his years of activism, and a second on the shared values of secular and religious progressives. In the first, Nall puts activism in its philosophical perspective, and does so with amazing wisdom, for one so young. But it is in the second part that Nall puts forth truths of great enduring value. With tenderness and clarity, he explains how the real battle in our society is not between believers and non-believers, but between the arrogant, pushy fundamentalists of either camp and those, whether atheist, devout Christian, or something else, who treat others with respect and dignity. The former make the most noise and get the most press, while the latter (though in the majority) get little notice. Nall calls for secular humanists and religionists to recognize their shared progressive values and engage in dramatic cooperation, relegating the fundamentalists of either kind irrelevant. This is a book that people of all faiths (or of none) can benefit from.”
---Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Lt. Col., USAF, retired; National Commander of The Patriots, and President of the Institute for Space and Security Studies.

“Perpetual Revolt is a book that is greater than the sum of its parts. Jeff Nall’s excellent essays against violence and war when read together have a profound impact, and his extensive knowledge of political and philosophical history becomes apparent. His writings on a proposed alliance of secular and religious progressives leaves the reader with hope and a sense of direction. Both secular and religious humanists will be better equipped for the struggle against violence and war once they have read Perpetual Revolt. They will have a clearer perception of the problems they face and of the advantages they may find in working together.”
--- James Rowe Adams, Founder and Honorary Advisor, The Center for Progressive Christianity; author, “From Literal to Literary: The Essential Reference Book for Biblical Metaphors,” (2nd ed., Pilgrim Press)